OK guys and gals, which is the best greens to use for a turn in box for BBQ comps???
I've never been in a comp Tommy, so take it as you will.
I love green leaf lettuce. It's crinkly, fairly tender, really green and holds up well "under pressure". Maybe a bit of julienned red bell pepper in there for contrast.
But, like I said, ...
Quote from: ArnieM on August 23, 2010, 08:16:45 PM
I've never been in a comp Tommy, so take it as you will.
I love green leaf lettuce. It's crinkly, fairly tender, really green and holds up well "under pressure". Maybe a bit of julienned red bell pepper in there for contrast.
But, like I said, ...
Sounds good , but you can't have any RED in the box. TR says it's marking a box for the judges.
Quote from: TMB on August 23, 2010, 08:19:21 PM
Quote from: ArnieM on August 23, 2010, 08:16:45 PM
I've never been in a comp Tommy, so take it as you will.
I love green leaf lettuce. It's crinkly, fairly tender, really green and holds up well "under pressure". Maybe a bit of julienned red bell pepper in there for contrast.
But, like I said, ...
Sounds good , but you can't have any RED in the box. TR says it's marking a box for the judges.
Wow, no red - interesting. Kale is another possibility. It's tough stuff, holds up under heat and looks nice. They aren't gonna eat the greens anyway.
Certainly no soft stuff - Bibb, Boston, etc. And, I wouldn't use iceberg - too BLAH looking.
Check the rules of the competition you are in. They may state what can and can't be used. Green leaf lettuce appears to be common as is Parsley, but I have seen rules where green leaf only is required. I remember seeing a post on another site some time ago where the person used a bed of iceberg lettuce on the bottom and the entire top was carefully laid out with parsley.
I am with Arnie on the Kale. Nice and tough and less green so the food would stand out more. But what do I know. just my P's and Q's
Welllll, If I was a judge, I know what kind greens I'd be smokin' - uhh, I mean looking for....
I don't know squat about BBQ judging so what I'm about to say probably has no validity but, I ordered delivery a few times from a place that put everything on a bed of lettuce. I hated it. Everything tasted like lettuce. Fries, chicken wings etc. YUCK. I always think of that when I see BBQ judging on TV.
I would go with Gizmo's suggestion, and read the rules to see what can and cannot be used as a garnish; they may have strict rules on what can be placed in the entry box.
KC rules on garnish:
"Garnish is optional. If used, it is limited to chopped, sliced shredded or whole leaves of fresh lettuce, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley and/or cilantro.
Kale, endive, red tipped lettuce, lettuce cores and other vegetation are prohibited.
(Improper garnish shall receive a score of one (1) on Appearance."
If anyone has garnished a turn in box for a KCBS type of judging and has a PIC or advice we would love to hear that you did. Thanks!